Reading philosophy and logic books for fun...
Correcting the grammar and punctuation in the papers...
Wasting time with too many fandoms... Middle-earth will always be my greatest love, though...
Writing my own original fiction stories... the dear Professor is my hero and role model in more ways than one...

First Lord of the Rings reading experience:

I had heard about The Lord of the Rings as a child for many years. From the vague whispers I heard about it, it was some sort of awesome, incredibly difficult book, the pinnacle of literature - finishing it was a true accomplishment.
When I was 12, I abruptly decided to read it.
And I did. I finished in a day and a half. I fell for Middle-earth hook, line, and sinker. And since then, I haven't looked back. I have no need to. It changed me for the better, and I hope it'll always be that way.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Eomer. I'm on Team Eomer.
Apart from any superficial reasons for liking him (including the whole blond horseman appeal), I just loved his attitude in the book from the get-go and watched his discussions and interactions with Aragorn, Gimli, Eowyn, and Theoden with delight. So proud, so confident, and yet also reasonable and loyal - he was amazing. Then I found HoME and saw his bond with his cousin and how they fought to defend Rohan. That sealed it for me.
Team Eomer forever.